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Stray dogs in Europe -
Problems and solutions
TAIEX, Belgrade, 17TAIEX, Belgrade, 17--18 October, 201118 October, 2011
Alexandra Hammond-Seaman
RSPCA International
Mission
Introduction to the RSPCA
‘The RSPCA will, by all lawful means, prevent cruelty, promote
kindness to and alleviate suffering of all animals’
� Founded in 1824, world’s oldest animal
welfare organisation
�Concern for all animals
Status
Introduction to the RSPCA
�Charity, no government funding
� Investigates and prosecutes breaches of
UK animal welfare law
� Lobbies, campaigns and educates
�Animal centres, hospitals, 1,650 staff
�30 scientific staff, 4 departments
Science
Introduction to the RSPCA
�30 scientific staff, 4 departments
�Produce campaign reports, standards
�Commission independent research
�Advise government, sit on scientific panels
International programmes 1998-2010
Europe
East Asia
Introduction to the RSPCA
Southern
Africa
East Asia
� Develop country-specific and regional knowledge
� Understand where the country’s priorities lie
Introduction to the RSPCA
Approach to international work
� Seek out effective partners – government, academics, NGOs
� Demonstrate long-term commitment
� Deliver practical support – aid, training, advice
An overview of the problem
(overpopulation or not?)
Good
Poor and not improving
Good
Improving
Dog population managementWhere do they come from?
TAIEX, Belgrade, 17TAIEX, Belgrade, 17--18 October 201118 October 2011
Dog population managementLegislation overview in Europe
87% have legislation that covers AW and the protection
of animals
70% of countries prohibit abandonment
50% restrict selling and breeding of dogs
42% had national legislation that specifically addresses
TAIEX, Belgrade, 17TAIEX, Belgrade, 17--18 October 201118 October 2011
42% had national legislation that specifically addresses
pet ownership (dog control laws)
70% compulsory identification and licensing but report
little effect due to poor implementation in 48% and
little effect on stray dog numbers
Dog population managementRelated costs in EU MSs
France
17 million dogs and cats
1 million puppies sold per year
100.000 dogs abandoned each year
Only 530 shelters for 36.779 villages
TAIEX, Belgrade 17TAIEX, Belgrade 17--18 October 201118 October 2011
Only 530 shelters for 36.779 villages
= 70 villages per shelter
Cost Fondation BB 2 million
SPA 27 million
UK
14 million dogs and cats
100 rehoming centres
+70.000 abandoned animals
Cost shelters RSPCA 53 Million
Dog population managementTrends in stray dogs in Europe
Remain constant
No strays
TAIEX, Belgrade 17TAIEX, Belgrade 17--18 October 201118 October 2011
Increased
Decreased
No information
Dog population managementMethods of stray dog control in Europe
Caught
Culled
Combination
TAIEX, Belgrade, 17TAIEX, Belgrade, 17--18 October 201118 October 2011
Combination
CNR
Not stated
In those countries that caught strays 10 (32%) euthanized animals at the end of the holding
period, 2 (6%) euthanized upon capture, and 3(10%) did not legally permit the euthanasia of
healthy dogs.
Unwanted animals taken in by the
RSPCA
250,000
300,000
350,000
0
50,000
100,000
150,000
200,000
1971 1981 1991 2001 2007
Taken in
Euthanised
Rehomed
Trends in companion animals:
numbers stray dogs in UK
70000
80000
0
1000020000
300004000050000
6000070000
stray
dogs
2005/6 2006/7
Numbers strays
rehomed
Euthanised
Two approaches
• No kill: Catch Neuter release
• Advantages: No kill
• Disadvantages: doesn’t stop the
problem, still have noise,
pollution; abandonement is illegal
• Allow euthanasia
• Shelter and adoption
• Advantages: teaches RPO, takes
animals off the streets
pollution; abandonement is illegal
under CofE
• Welfare implications (cruelty,
malnourishment, RTAs)
• Disadvantages: low adoption
rates, shelter overcrowding, poor
euthanasia and standards
Good news
• 87% of countries have legislation
• 70% of countries prohibit abandonment
• 50% restrict selling and breeding of dogs
• 61% of countries have laws on RPO• 61% of countries have laws on RPO
Bad news
• Only 13 countries have legislation on who can own pets
• 9 countries don’t enforce abandonement legislation
• Most legislation not enforced properly
• Poor state of shelters and catching• Poor state of shelters and catching
• No accurate data
How organisations can help
• Animal welfare organisations are working on
the ground so have experience and data
• Local authorities need to implement
• Veterinarians need to neuter and chip• Veterinarians need to neuter and chip
• Focus on owned animals- stray dogs just a
symptom
Solutions
• Assess problem: good data
• Legislation and enforce legislation
• Set standards: train catchers, shelter • Set standards: train catchers, shelter
personnel
• Set up stakeholder committee
• Undertake responsible pet ownership
work
Solutions 2
Responsible pet ownership
• Reduce supply of dogs: dog breeding, pet selling
• Abandonement made illegal
• Age of owning dogs
• Educate: standards on keeping
• Registration and identification
• Encourage neutering: work with vets
Future
• DPM framework developed at the EU level
• Pressure to implement humane methods increases
• Abandoning animals less tolerated
• Public become more educated
• Ngos become more relevant
Dog population managementWhere are the perceived challenges?
Social
Political
Legal
Economic
TAIEX, Belgrade 17TAIEX, Belgrade 17--18 October 201118 October 2011
Economic
Scientific
Environmental
Technological
Dog population managementThe policy and research needs
Investing in the initial assessment- this is a societal problem
so the focus needs to be on the community as much as on
the animals themselves.
Defining key outcome indicators to precede DPM
intervention and to measure impact.
TAIEX, Belgrade, 17TAIEX, Belgrade, 17--18 October 201118 October 2011
intervention and to measure impact.
Baseline data collection for cost benefit analysis to measure
effectiveness, economic sustainability and determine what
works while safeguarding the principles of good welfare.
Monitoring, evaluation and review to feed back into policy
making/refinement.
Developing specific indicators to address the multiple facets
of this issue.
Western Balkans
Veterinary Network
‘A unique platform for the advancement of animal welfare through research, education and
professional training.’
WBVN- Participants
Countries
Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, UNMIK-
Kosovo, Montenegro, R. of Macedonia, Serbia,
Turkey
Institutions
State Veterinary Departments, Agricultural and State Veterinary Departments, Agricultural and
Veterinary faculties, Veterinary organisations, Meat
Industry, Farming associations, NGOs
External partners: FVE, TAIEX,
Bristol University-Department of farm animal
science, IRTA-Barcelona
WBVN- Improving companion
animal management
The aim of the Network
is to contribute towards
the creation of a
humane, practical and
scientific approach to scientific approach to
stray animal control in
the region.
WBVN- Improving companion
animal management
The work of the WBVN Companion Animal
Coalition has three objectives:
Knowledge transfer
Scientific research
Capacity building
Thank you!Thank you!